3 Things

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 21st of August and here are the headlines.

CBI officers continued to question of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital former principal Dr Sandip Ghosh regarding the rape and murder of a young doctor on night shift on hospital premises for the sixth consecutive day today. As per the news agency PTI, Ghosh may also be subjected to a polygraph test. An official said that they want to further verify Ghosh’s answers, as there have been discrepancies in some of the replies. Meanwhile, healthcare services remain affected at state-run hospitals in West Bengal, as junior doctors continued their strike for the 13th consecutive day. Senior doctors were asked to report to duty in place of junior medics at several hospitals.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) called for a “Maharashtra bandh” on August 24 to protest against the alleged sexual assault on two young girls at a school in Badlapur. Vijay Wadettiwar, leader of opposition in the state assembly said that MVA allies – Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) headed by Sharad Pawar – took the decision after a meeting in Mumbai. Meanwhile, a local court extended till August 26 the police custody of the man arrested for allegedly sexually abusing two girls at a school in Badlapur.

Amid a nationwide strike called by Dalit and Adivasi groups against the Supreme Court’s decision to permit the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), police lathicharged protesters in Bihar’s Patna, news agency ANI. As many as twenty one organisations have called for Bharat Bandh against the SC order. Left parties, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Bahujan Samajwadi Party have extended support to the nationwide bandh. While protests were seen across cities in Bihar, the Bandh saw mixed responses in Rajasthan and Jharkhand. In Odisha, road and rail services were partially affected due to the protests, news agency PTI reported.

Ahead of the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Ukraine, Narendra Modi today said that India hoped for an early return of peace and stability in the region as a “friend and partner”. Modi is headed to Poland today, and then to Ukraine on August 23. This also marks the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Poland in 45 years. In his departure statment, Modi expressed confidence that “the visit will serve as a natural continuation of extensive contacts with the two countries and help create the foundation for stronger and more vibrant relations in the years ahead”.

A bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims overturned in central Iran, killing 28 passengers and injuring another 23 people, state media reported today.The accident took place late on Tuesday in the central Iranian province of Yazd and was caused by a technical defect in the bus braking system, according to preliminary investigations made by the Iranian traffic police. Pakistan’s consular services in Iran have been invited to Yazd province to follow up on the accident, the official added.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, Indian Express’ Naveed Iqbal discusses the significance of the upcoming assembly polls in J&K and the position in which the regional parties find themselves.

Next, Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt informs us about the current Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) outbreak and the extent to which India should be concerned (12:02).

Finally, Indian Express’ Sohini Ghosh addresses the challenges you might face as an aspiring police officer if you have a tattoo on your arm (16:42).

Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 20th of August and here are the headlines.

After a UPSC advertisement for filling up 45 posts through “lateral entry” triggered a political controversy, the Central Government today asked the UPSC to cancel it.
In a letter to UPSC Chairperson Minister for Department of Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh said that it is important that the constitutional mandate towards social justice is upheld so that deserving candidates from marginalized communities get their rightful representation in the government services.” On August 17, the UPSC issued an advertisement seeking applications for “talented and motivated Indian nationals for Lateral Recruitment” to the posts of joint secretary, director, and deputy secretary in 24 central ministries.

A series of protests broke out at Badlapur in Maharashtra’s Thane today over the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old school children by a cleaning staff member and the “delay” in police action. This brought Mumbai local train services on the Central Line to a complete halt. Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, said the “rail-roko” protest at the Badlapur railway station affected Mumbai local train services, with no signs of immediate resumption. The protesters also took their demonstration to the streets of Badlapur, obstructing major roads and highways. It intensified as some protesters started throwing stones at the police and the school premises where the alleged sexual assault occurred.

Saying that it was “deeply concerned” about the “virtual absence of safe conditions of work for young doctors across the country”, the Supreme Court today pulled up the West Bengal government over the August 9 rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, questioned the role of the state police and the former principal of the institution, and put in place a nine-member panel to recommend solutions to issues related to the safety and well-being of medical professionals. Terming the rape and murder “horrific given the nature of the crime”, a three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud asked the CBI to furnish a status report on the investigation by August 22.

On Independence Day, a pregnant elephant died after a burning iron spear was thrown at her during attempts to drive a herd out of West Bengal’s Jhargram town.Three elephants with two calves took shelter on abandoned government land. Soon, a crowd of people gathered, and as per standard practice, the state forest department called upon the “Hula party”, a team of villagers using small spears lit on the sharp ends, to drive away the herd. Now, over the pregnant elephant’s death on August 15, the state forest department has lodged a police complaint, promising “strict action”.

The Israeli military said today that it recovered the bodies of six hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that started the war in Gaza, as US and Arab mediators tried to advance an agreement to halt the fighting and release scores of other militant-held captives. The military said its forces recovered the bodies in an overnight operation in southern Gaza, without saying when or how the six died. A forum for hostage families said they were kidnapped alive. Hamas says some captives have been killed and wounded in Israeli airstrikes. The recovery is a blow to Hamas, which hopes to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting cease-fire.

This was the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, Indian Express' Sweety Kumari talks to us about the gruesome rape and murder case of a junior doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. She shares updates of the investigation which is now being carried out by the CBI, the mob attack that was faced by the protesters, how the Mamata Banerjee government has been responding to the case and more.

Next, Indian Express’ Nikhil Ghanekar speaks to us about a special passage that has been proposed for the Kanwar Yatra and the challenges and probes that it is facing. (19:36)

And in the end, we talk about another successful operation by the Indian Space Research Organization, the SSLV. The SSLV in its third and final developmental flight successfully placed satellites into the designated orbit. (26:47)

Hosted, written and produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 19th of August and here are the headlines.


Sixteen external and nine internal injury marks, death due to manual strangulation and smothering, and forceful penetration – these are among findings of the post-mortem report of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s R G Kar medical college and hospital, it is learnt. The post-mortem examination was done from 6:10 pm to 7:10 pm on August 9. It states that “death was due to effects of manual strangulation associated with smothering” and the “manner of death” is “homicidal”. 

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and others were harassed during an NCC camp held earlier this month at a private school in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case, including Sivaraman, the district youth wing secretary of Naam Tamilar Katchi – a regional political group. Sivaraman, who had organised the camp, was the one who allegedly sexually assaulted the girl. The principal of the school where the camp was held was also among those arrested.

Backing the triple talaq law, the Centre has told the Supreme Court that the Act “helps in ensuring the larger constitutional goals of gender justice and gender equality of married Muslim women and helps subserve their fundamental rights of non-discrimination and empowerment.” The Centre said this in response to an affidavit filed earlier this month in response to a plea. Explaining the context in which the law came to be enacted, the government said “essentially” the “practice” of talaq-e-biddat or instantaneous triple talaq “legitimised and institutionalised abandonment of wives by their husbands” and “did not simply result in a private injury but in a public wrong as it militate against the rights of women and the social institution of marriage itself”.

Taking aim at the doctors’ strike following the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, TMC MP Arup Chakraborty said “we will not save you” if public anger falls on the doctors due to their strike. He said, quote, “In the name of the movement, you may go home or go about with your boyfriend. If a patient dies because of your strike and public anger falls on you, we will not save you." Unquote. When reporters asked about the statement after he got off stage, he stuck to it. “Doctors are striking. In the name of a strike, if they go out and people don’t get treatment, naturally their anger will fall on them. We can’t save them,” he said.

Iltija Mufti, the daughter of People’s Democratic Party chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is set to contest the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections from the constituency of Bijbehara in Anantnag. Bijbehara is the family’s home seat and its stronghold. This will be 37-year-old Iltija’s first electoral foray. It is learnt that Mehbooba will not be contesting the Assembly elections. The party is set to release its first list of candidates on Monday for constituencies in south Kashmir, which are scheduled to go to polls on September 18 in the first phase.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Are you someone who does not have health insurance? Or you do, but are wondering if you should switch plans, or worried that you missed out on something? In this special episode, we speak to Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt to discuss the A to Z of getting health insurance. We will break down jargon, consider all important factors, and bust myths to help you make an informed decision (This episode originally aired on 1st July).

Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Timestamps:
01:50 - Why you should get health insurance
04:42 - How health insurance works
05:15 - At what age should you get health insurance?
06:45 - Is there an age limit?
07:28 - Should one choose a public company or a private one?
08:07 - What is a claim settlement ratio?
08:58 - The importance of a good network of hospitals
09:50 - How much coverage should you get?
10:47 - What is a waiting period?
12:06 - How much would you typically end up spending on health insurance?
12:54 - Is the insurance provided by your workplace sufficient?
13:56 - Benefits of sticking to an insurance plan
14:27 - What factors determine your premium?
15:45 - Why you should not lie when getting health insurance
17:32 - Why almost no one covers OPD expenses
19:34 - What do policies usually exclude?
21:37 - How insurance companies avoid paying for mental health treatment
23:02 - Are maternity-related expenses covered?
23:54 - Are daycare procedures covered?
25:32 - Discussing hospital room rents
26:08 - Beware of Co-pay
28:20 - How are pre- and post-hospitalization costs covered?
30:20 - What is a no-claim bonus?
31:02 - What are sub-limits?
31:57 - Benefits and disadvantages of a family floater plan
33:55 - Common reasons why claims get rejected
34:44 - The types of individuals that insurance companies try to avoid
36:39 - Key takeaways

The headlines of the day from the Indian Express.

First, Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak talks to us about the major takeaways of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first Independence Day speech of his third term. He shares the details of what all PM Modi talked about, from one nation one election to the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case and more. 

Next, Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy joins us from Dhaka, Bangladesh. He shares the details of the current situation in Bangladesh, the attacks on the Hindu minority, Sheikh Hasina's recent statement, the interim government's control and more. (15:40)

And in the end, we talk about the Delhi High Court issuing a notice to BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj in an election petition by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti, challenging her win in the Lok Sabha elections on the grounds of “corrupt practices”. (28:14)
 
Hosted, written and produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma
Today is the 15th of August and here are the headlines.

In the first Independence Day speech of his third term, Prime Minister Narendra addressed core ideological issues, underlining the need to move towards a “secular civil code” instead of the existent “communal civil code”. PM Modi said, quote, “The Supreme Court has repeatedly discussed a Uniform Civil Code in India. It is true that the civil code that we have is a communal civil code. It is based on discrimination. It is our duty to fulfil the vision of our constitution makers. Unquote.

A team of UN experts will visit Bangladesh next week to investigate the killings of protesters before and after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister last week. According to a post by the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh on X, this will be the first UN fact-finding mission to Bangladesh since its independence in 1971 to address widespread human rights abuses. Muhammad Yunus, who assumed office as Chief Adviser on the 8th of August following Hasina’s departure to India, confirmed the visit. The mission will focus on atrocities committed during the Student Revolution in July and early August over the government job quota reforms.

The Central Bureau of Investigation summoned five doctors today for questioning in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Kolkata police detained nine people following a night of violence and vandalism on the ground floor of the Emergency building at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Nurses have demanded proper security on the premises, with one stating to PTI that such hooliganism inside a hospital is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district, a daily wage worker was arrested a week after the body of a nurse working in a private hospital was found. According to police, the accused, identified as Dharmendra Kumar from Bareilly, allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered the woman after intercepting her while she was going home alone after duty at the hospital on the 30th of July. This incident comes in the wake of indefinite nationwide protests against the rape and murder case of a junior doctor in a Kolkata hospital.

On the global front, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that he will be stepping down from his position next month and will not contest the upcoming election for a new chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Kishida has faced a tumultuous time in office, with his government plagued by scandals and an approval rating of just 20 percent, indicating a severe erosion of public trust.
This was the catch up on 3 Things for the Indian Express.

On the occasion of India's 76th year of Independence, three historians share their favourite stories from the country's freedom struggle. We learn about ordinary citizens rebelling, a man who started an entire shipping company to take on the British, and an early vision of democracy that emerged during the first war of Independence.

Guests: Mridula Mukherjee, A. R. Venkatachalapathy, and Swapna Liddle

(This episode was first published on 15th August, 2023)

Hosted, written, and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar